/\The Fire
Book

In this the Fire Book of the Ni To Ichi school of
strategy I describe fighting as fire.

In the first place, people think narrowly about the benefit
of strategy. By using only their fingertips, they only know the benefit
of three of the five inches of the wrist. They let a contest be decided,
as with the folding fan, merely by the span of their forearms. They specialise
in the small matter of dexterity, learning such trifles as hand and leg
movements with the bamboo practice sword.

In my strategy, the training for killing enemies is by
way of many contests, fighting for survival, discovering the meaning of
life and death, learning the Way of the sword, judging the strength of
attacks and understanding the Way of the "edge and ridge" of the sword.

You cannot profit from small techniques particularly when
full armour is worn. ["Roku Gu" (six pieces): body armour, helmet, mask,
thigh pieces, gauntlets and leg pieces. - Draeger] My Way of strategy
is the sure method to win when fighting for your life one man against
five or ten. There is nothing wrong with the principle "one man can beat
ten, so a thousand men can beat ten thousand". You must research this.
Of course you cannot assemble a thousand or ten thousand men for everyday
training. But you can become a master of strategy by training alone with
a sword, so that you can understand the enemy's strategms, his strength
and resources, and come to appreciate how to apply strategy to beat ten
thousand enemies.

Any man who wants to master the essence of my strategy
must research diligently, training morning and evening. Thus can he polish
his skill, become free from self, and realise extraordinary ability. He
will come to possess miraculous power.

This is the practical result of strategy.

DEPENDING ON THE PLACE

Examine your environment.

Stand in the sun; that is, take up an attitude with the
sun behind you. If the situation dows not allow this, you must try to
keep the sun on your right side. In buildings, you must stand with the
entrance behind you or to your right. Make sure that your rear is unobstructed,
and that there is free space on your left, your right side being occupied
with your side attitude. At night, if the enemy can be seen, keep the
fire behind you and the entrance to your right, and otherwise take up
your attitude as above. You must look down on the enemy, and take up your
attitude on slightly higher places. For example, the Kamiza [residence
of the ancestral spirit of a house; often a slightly raised recess in
a wall (with ornaments). - Draeger] in a house is thought of as a high
place.

When the fight comes, always endeavour to chase the enemy
around to your left side. Chase him towards awkward places, and try to
keep him with his back to awkward places. When the enemy gets into an
inconvenient position, do not let him look around, but conscientiously
chase him around and pin him down. In houses, chase the enemy into the
thresholds, lintels, doors, verandas, pillars, and so on, again not letting
him see his situation.

Always chase the enemy into bad footholds, obstacles at
the side, and so on, using the virtues of the place to establish predominant
positions from which to fight. You must research and train diligently
in this.

THE THREE METHODS TO FORESTALL THE ENEMY

The first is to forestall him by attacking. This is called
Ken No Sen (to set him up).

Another method is to forestall him as he attacks. This
is called Tai No Sen (to wait for the initiative).

The other method is when you and the enemy attack together.
This is called Tai Tai No Sen (to accompany him and forestall him).

There are no methods of taking the lead other than these
three. Because you can win quickly by taking the lead, it is one of the
most important things in strategy. There are several things involved in
taking the lead. You must make the best of the situation, see through
the enemy's spirit so that you grasp his strategy and defeat him. It is
impossible to write about this in detail.

THE FIRST - KEN NO SEN

When you decide to attack, keep calm and dash in quickly,
forestalling the enemy. Or you can advance seemingly strongly but with
a reserved spirit, forestalling him with the reserve.

Alternatively, advance with as strong a spirit as possible,
and when you reach the enemy move with your feet a little quicker than
normal, unsettling him and overwhelming him sharply.

Or, with your spirit calm, attack with a feeling of constantly
crushing the enemy, from first to last. The spirit is to win in the depths
of the enemy.

These are all Ken No Sen.

THE SECOND - TAI NO SEN

When the enemy attacks, remain undisturbed but feign weakness.
As the enemy reaches you, suddenly move away indicating that you intend
to jump aside, then dash in attacking strongly as soon as you see the
enemy relax. This is one way.

Or, as the enemy attacks, attack still more strongly, taking
advantage of the resulting disorder in his timing to win.

This is the Tai No Sen principle.

THE THIRD - TAI TAI NO SEN

When the enemy makes a quick attack, you must attack strongly
and calmly, aim for his weak point as he draws near, and strongly defeat
him.

Or, if the enemy attacks calmly, you must observe his movements
and, with your body rather floating, join in with his movements as he
draws near. Move quickly and cut him strongly.

This is Tai Tai No Sen.

These things cannot be clearly explained in words. You
must research what is written here. In these three ways of forestalling,
you must judge the situation. This does not mean that you always attack
first; but if the enemy attacks first you can lead him around. In strategy,
you have effectively won when you forestall the enemy, so you must train
well to attain this.

TO HOLD DOWN A PILLOW

"To Hold Down a Pillow" means not allowing the enemy's
head to rise.

In contests of strategy it is bad to be led about by the
enemy. You must always be able to lead the enemy about. Obviously the
enemy will also be thinking of doing this, but he cannot forestall you
if you do not allow him to come out. In strategy, you must stop the enemy
as he attempts to cut; you must push down his thrust, and throw off his
hold when he tries to grapple. This is the meanind of "to hold down a
pillow". When you have grasped this principle, whatever the enemy tries
to bring about in the fight you will see in advance and suppress it. The
spirit is too check his attack at the syllable "at...", when he jumps
check his jump at the syllable "ju...", and check his cut at "cu...".

The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy's
useful actions but allow his useless actions. However, doing this alone
is defensive. First, you must act according to the Way, suppressing the
enemy's techniques, foiling his plans and thence command him directly.
When you can do this you will be a master of strategy. You must train
well and research "holding down a pillow".

CROSSING AT A FORD

"Crossing at a ford" means, for example, crossing
the sea at a strait, or crossing over a hundred miles of broad sea at
a crossing place. I believe this "crossing at a ford" occurs often in
man's lifetime. It means setting sail even though your friends stay in
harbour, knowing the route, knowing the soundness of your ship and the
favour of the day. When all the conditiongs are meet, and there is perhaps
a favourable wind, or a tailwind, then set sail. If the wind changes within
a few miles of your destination, you must row across the remaining distance
without sail.

If you attain this spirit, it applies to everyday life.
You must always think of crossing at a ford.

In strategy also it is important to "cross at a ford".
Discern the enemy's capability and, knowing your own strong points, "cross
the ford" at the advantageous place, as a good captain crosses a sea route.
If you succeed in crossing at the best place, you may take your ease.
To cross at a ford means to attack the enemy's weak point, and to put
yourself in an advantageous position. This is how to win large-scale strategy.
The spirit of crossing at a ford is necessary in both large- and small-scale
strategy.

You must research this well.

TO KNOW THE TIMES

"To know the times" means to know the enemy's disposition
in battle. Is it flourishing or waning? By observing the spirit of the
enemy's men and getting the best position, you can work out the enemy's
disposition and move your men accordingly. You can win through this principle
of strategy, fighting from a position of advantage.

When in a duel, you must forestall the enemy and attack
when you have first recognised his school of strategy, perceived his quality
and his strong and weak points. Attack in an unsuspecting manner, knowing
his metre and modulation and the appropriate timing.

Knowing the times means, if your ability is high, seeing
right into things. If you are thorougly conversant with strategy, you
will recognise the enemy's intentions and thus have many opportunities
to win. You must sufficiently study this.

TO TREAD DOWN THE SWORD

"To tread down the sword" is a principle often used
in strategy. First, in large scale strategy, when the enemy first discharges
bows and guns and then attacks it is difficult for us to attack if we
are busy loading powder into our guns or notching our arrows. The spirit
is to attack quickly while the enemy is still shooting with bows or guns.
The spirit is to win by "treading down" as we receive the enemy's attack.

In single combat, we cannot get a decisive victory by cutting,
with a "tee-dum tee-dum" feeling, in the wake of the enemy's attacking
long sword. We must defeat him at the start of his attack, in the spirit
of treading him down with the feet, so that he cannot rise again to the
attack.

"Treading" does not simply mean treading with the
feet. Tread with the body, tread with the spirit, and, of course, tread
and cut with the long sword. You must achieve the spirit of not allowing
the enemy to attack a second time. This is the spirit of forestalling
in every sense. Once at the enemy, you should not aspire just to strike
him, but to cling after the attack. You must study this deeply.

TO KNOW "COLLAPSE"

Everything can collapse. Houses, bodies, and enemies collapse
when their rhythm becomes deranged.

In large-scale strategy, when the enemy starts to collapse,
you must pursue him without letting the chance go. If you fail to take
advantage of your enemies' collapse, they may recover.

In single combat, the enemy sometimes loses timing and
collapses. If you let this opportunity pass, he may recover and not be
so negligent thereafter. Fix your eye on the enemy's collapse, and chase
him, attacking so that you do not let him recover. You must do this. The
chasing attack is with a strong spirit. You must utterly cut the enemy
down so that he does not recover his position. You must understand how
to utterly cut down the enemy.

TO BECOME THE ENEMY

"To become the enemy" means to think yourself in
the enemy's position. In the world people tend to think of a robber trabbed
in a house as a fortified enemy. However, if we think of "becoming the
enemy", we feel that the whole world is against us and that there is no
escape. He who is shut inside is a pheasant. He who enters to arrest is
a hawk. You must appreciate this.

In large-scale strategy, people are always under the impression
that the enemy is strong, and so tend to become cautious. But if you have
good soldiers, and if you understand the principles of strategy, and if
you know how to beat the enemy, there is nothing to worry about.

In single combat also you must put yourself in the enemy's
position. If you think, "Here is a a master of the Way, who knows the
principles of strategy", then you will surely lose. You must consider
this deeply.

TO RELEASE FOUR HANDS

"To release four hands" is used when you and the
enemy are contending with the same spirit, and the issue cannot be decided.
Abandon this spirit and win through an alternative resource.

In large-scale strategy, when there is a "four hands" spirit,
do not give up - it is man's existence. Immediately throw away this spirit
and win with a technique the enemy does not expect.

In single combat also, when we think we have fallen into
the "four hands" situation, we must defeat the enemy by changin our mind
and applying a suitable technique according to his condition. You must
be able to judge this.

TO MOVE THE SHADE

"To move the shade" is used when you cannot see the
enemy's spirit.

In large-scale strategy, when you cannot see the enemy's
position, indicate that you are about to attack strongly, to discover
his resources. It is easy then to defeat him with a different method once
you see his resources.

In single combat, if the enemy takes up a rear or side
attitude of the long sword so that you cannot see his intention, make
a feint attack, and the enemy will show his long sword, thinking he sees
your spirit. Benefiting from what you are shown, you can win with certainty.
If you are negligen you will miss the timing. Research this well.

TO HOLD DOWN A SHADOW

"Holding down a shadow" is use when you can see the
enemy's attacking spirit.

In large-scale strategy, when the enemy embarks on an attack,
if you make a show of strongly suppressing his technique, he will change
his mind. Then, altering your spirit, defeat him by forestalling him with
a Void spirit.

Or, in single combat, hold down the enemy's strong intention
with a suitable timing, and defeat him by forestalling him with this timing.
You must study this well.

TO PASS ON

Many things are said to be passed on. Sleepiness can be
passed on, and yawning can be passed on. Time can be passed on also.

In large-scale strategy, when the enemy is agitated and
shows an inclination to rush, do not mind in the least. Make a show of
complete calmness, and the enemy will be taken by this and will become
relaxed. When you see that this spirit has been passed on, you can bring
about the enemy's defeat by attacking strongly with a Void spirit.

In single combat, you can win by relaxing your body and
spirit and then, catching on to the moment the enemy relaxes, attack strongly
and quickly, forestalling him.

What is know as "getting someone drunk" is similar to this.
You can also infect the enemy with a bored, careless, or weak spirit.
You must study this well.

TO CAUSE LOSS OF BALANCE

Many things can cause a loss of balance. One cause is danger,
another is hardship, and another is surprise. You must research this.

In large-scale strategy it is important to cause loss of
balance. Attack without warning where the enemy is not expecting it, and
while his spirit is undecided follow up your advantage and, having the
lead, defeat him.

Or, in single combat, start by making a show of being slow,
then suddenly attack strongly. Without allowing him space for breath to
recover form the fluctuation of spirit, you must grasp the opportunity
to win. Get the feel of this.

TO FRIGHTEN

Fright often occurs, caused by the unexpected.

In large-scale strategy you can frighten the enemy not
just by what you present to their eyes, but by shouting, making a small
force seem large, or by threatening them from the flank without warning.
These things all frighten. You can win by making best use of the enemy's
frightened rhythm.

In single combat, also, you must use the advantage of taking
the enemy unawares by frightening him with your body, long sword, or voice,
to defeat him. You should research this well.

TO SOAK IN

When you have come to grips and are striving together with
the enemy, and you realise that you cannot advance, you "soak in" and
become one with the enemy. You can win by applying a suitable technique
while you are mutually entangled.

In battles involving large numbers as well as in fights
with small numbers, you can often win decisively with the advantage of
knowing how to "soak" into the enemy, whereas, were you to draw apart,
you would lose the chance to win. Research this well.

TO INJURE THE CORNERS

It is difficult to move strong things by pushing directly,
so you should "injure the corners".

In large-scale strategy, it is beneficial to strike at
the corners of the enemy's force. If the corners are overthrown, the spirit
of the whole body will be overthrown. To defeat the enemy you must follow
up the attack when the corners have fallen.

In single combat, it is easy to win once the enemy collapses.
This happens when you injure the "corners" of his body, and thus weaken
him. It is important to know how to do this, so you must research deeply.

TO THROW INTO CONFUSION

This means making the enemy lose resolve.

In large-scale strategy we can use our troops to confuse
the enemy on the field. Observing the enemy's spirit, we can make him
think, "Here? There? Like that? Like this? Slow? Fast?". Victory is certain
when the enemy is caught up in a rhythm which confuses his spirit.

In single combat, we can confuse the enemy by attacking
with varied techniques when the chance arises. Feint a thrust or cut,
or make the enemy think ou are going to close with him, and when he is
confused you can easily win.

This is the essence of fighting, and you must research
it deeply.

THE THREE SHOUTS

THe three shouts are divided thus: before, during and after.
Shout according to the situation. The voice is a thing of life. We shout
against fires and so on, against the wind and the waves. The voice shows
energy.

In large-scale strategy, at the start of battle we shout
as loudly as possible. During the fight, the voice is low-pitched, shouting
out as we attack. After the contest, we shout in the wake of our victory.
These are the three shouts.

In single combat, we make as if to cut and shout "Ei!"
at the same time to disturb the enemy, then in the wake of our shout we
cut with the long sword. We shout after we have cut down the enemy - this
is to announce victory. This is called "sen go no koe" (before and after
voice). We do not shout simultaneously with flourishing the long sword.
We shout during the fight to get into rhythm. Research this deeply.

TO MINGLE

In battles, when the armies are in confrontation, attack
the enemy's strong points and, when you see that they are beaten back,
quickly separate and attack yet another strong point on the periphery
of his force. The spirit of this is like a winding mountain path.

This is an important fighting method for one man against
many. Strike down the enemies in one quarter, or drive them back, then
grasp the timing and attack further strong points to right and left, as
if on a winding mountain path, weighing up the enemies' disposition. When
you know the enemies' level attack strongly with no trace of retreating
spirit.

What is meant by "mingling" is the spirit of advancing
and becoming engaged with the enemy, and not withdrawing even one step.
You must understand this.

TO CRUSH

This means to crush the enemy regarding him as being weak.

In large-scale strategy, when we see that the enemy has
few men, or if he has many men but his spirit is weak and disordered,
we knock the hat over his eyes, crushing him utterly. If we crush lightly,
he may recover. You must learn the spirit of crushing as if with a hand-grip.

In single combat, if the enemy is less skilful than ourself,
if his rhythm is disorganised, or if he has fallen into evasive or retreating
attitudes, we must crush him straightaway, with no concern for his presence
and without allowing him space for breath. It is essential to crush him
all at once. The primary thing is not to let him recover his position
even a little. You must research this deeply.

THE MOUNTAIN-SEA CHANGE

The "mountain-sea" spirit means that it is bad to repeat
the same thing several times when fighting the enemy. There may be no
help but to do something twice, but do not try it a third time. If you
once make an attack and fail, ther is little chance of success if you
use the same approach again. If you attempt a technique which you have
previously tried unsuccessfully and fail yet again, then you must change
your attacking method.

If the enemy thinks of the mountains, attack like the sea;
and if he thinks of the sea, attack like the mountains. You must research
this deeply.

TO PENETRATE THE DEPTHS

When we are fighting with the enemy, even when it can be
seen that we can win on the surface with the benefit of the Way, if his
spirit is not extinguished, he may be beaten superficially yet undefeated
in spirit deep inside. With this principle of "penetrating the depths"
we can destroy the enemy's spirit in its depths, demoralising him by quickly
changing our spirit. This often occurs.

Penetrating the depths means penetrating with the long
sword, penetrating with the body, and penetrating with the spirit. This
cannot be understood in a generalisation.

Once we have crushed the enemy in the depths, there is
no need to remain spirited. But otherwise we must remai spirited. If the
enemy remains spirited it is difficult to crush him. You must train in
penetrating the depths for large-scale strategy and also single combat.

TO RENEW

"To renew" applies when we are fighting with the
enemy, and an entangled spirit arises where there is no possible resolution.
We must abandon our efforts, think of the situation in a fresh spirit
then win in the new rhythm. To renew, when we are deadlocked with the
enemy, means that without changing our circumstance we change our spirit
and win through a different technique.

It is necessary to consider how "to renew" also applies
in large-scale strategy. Research this diligently.

RAT'S HEAD, OX'S NECK

"Rat's head and ox's neck" means that, when we are
fighting with the enemy and both he and we have become occupied with small
points in an entangled spirit, we must always think of the Way of strategy
as being both a rat's head and an ox's neck. Whenever we have become preoccupied
with small detail, we must suddenly change into a large spirit, interchanging
large with small.

This is one of the essences of strategy. It is necessary
that the warrior think in this spirit in everyday life. You must not depart
from this spirit in large-scale strategy nor in single combat.

THE COMMANDER KNOWS THE TROOPS

"The commander knows the troops" applies everywhere
in fights in my Way of strategy.

Using the wisdom of strategy, think of the enemy as your
own troops. When you think in this way you can move him at will and be
able to chase him around. You become the general and the enemy becomes
your troops. You must master this.

TO LET GO THE HILT

There are various kinds of spirit involved in letting go
the hilt.

There is the spirit of winning without a sword. There is
also the spirit of holding the long sword but not winning. The various
methods cannot be expressed in writing. You must train well.

THE BODY OF A ROCK

When you have mastered the Way of strategy you can suddenly
make your body like a rock, and ten thousand things cannot touch you.
This is the body of a rock.

You will not be moved. Oral tradition.

What is recorded above is what has been constantly on my
mind about Ichi school sword fencing, written down as it came to me. This
is the first time I have written about my technique, and the order of
things is a bit confused. It is difficult to express it clearly.

This book is a spiritual guide for the man who wishes to
learn the Way.

My heart has been inclined to the Way of strategy from
my youth onwards. I have devoted myself to training my hand, tempering
my body, and attaining the many spiritual attitudes of sword fencing.
If we watch men of other schools discussing theory, and concentrating
on techniques with the hands, even though they seem skilful to watch,
they have not the slightest true spirit.

Of course, men who study in this way think they are training
the body and spirit, but it is an obstacle to the true Way, and its bad
influence remains for ever. Thus the true Way of strategy is becoming
decadent and dying out.

The true Way of sword fencing is the craft of defeating
the enemy in a fight, and nothing other than this. If you attain and adhere
to the wisdom of my strategy, you need never doubt that you will win.